If I buy an electronic product which is manufactured for use in the U.S. and it runs off standard AA batteries, will it also run off AA batteries produced in the U.K.?

Isn't there some kind of difference between U.S. and U.K. electricity - or does that just apply to mains supplies?

I've never travelled to North America, so never really thought about this before.

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I never took any notice in my Physics classes at school.

The Wiki page on AA batteries would suggest that they're an international standard... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AA_battery

I'm thinking of buying one of those Flip Ultra Video cameras on eBay. Because of the weak dollar, you can snap one up for just £50.00. I'm aware that the resultant avi files will be NTSC rather than PAL, but I'm not all that bothered about that. I just want to make sure I'll be able to power it up.

I'm also thinking of buying some of these AA batteries which you can charge in any USB port...

http://www.usbcell.com/

Any AA battery should work fine.

Man.....



I really should be at my AA meeting right now.




Fuckin' org.

Justin1972UK said:

Somehow that sentence sounds sexual to me.

Reminds me of Vanity 6 and Vibrator, I guess.
[Edited 11/10/07 5:00am]

Stax said:

Groovy. I'm going to get one of those cameras soon.

Yep any AA batteries will work but you may find it has a port for an external mains power source. If it does just be careful and check the input voltage coz that is what is important. It will usually be xV DC. In which case you just need to check any PSU is giving out xV DC and the input is 230-240v AC. US voltage out is 120v AC so you cant just whack that in our 230v ac outlet coz it will go poof. Most laptop PSU and camera PSU's are 120-240vac and set DC output so they are ok.

Hope that helps

mdiver said:

I only really need it to work off batteries. I was originally going to buy one of those no-name flash-memory camcorders from Maplin, but the Flip Video Ultra is actually cheaper, due to the current exchange rate.

They seem to have good reviews and appear to be adequate for what I need... The video is allegedly better quality than the best mobile phones - with the added bonus that they run off AA batteries. The only drawback is that the memory isn't expandable, but an hour of video at a time is enough really.



If I ever get to travel around extensively, I could just find an internet cafe and email the contents to myself, so I could erase the memory and continue recording, I suppose.

That looks awesome mate and with the rate so good a snip. The specs on the site say no DC input just AA batts so you are all set mate

Does this mean we will be seeing more of your home videos coz they rock?

Illustrator said:

Join the OAA as well and you'll be fine.

mdiver said:

Not any time soon... I've gained nearly a stone in weight since the last one. I gain weight easy, but I suppose I also lose it easy. It'll take me a month to shift it though. I blame the weather.

Oh... I've discovered another similar pocket camcorder which runs off two AA batteries, the RCA Small Wonder. It appears to be better because:

01. It uses DivX & MP2 encoding (as opposed to the Flip's 3ivx & AAC) - so I'll be able to burn it's AVI files to a CD-R and watch on my compatible DVD player;
02. It has a flip screen so that you can video yourself;
03. The memory is expandable, using regular 2GB SD cards;
04. It's cheaper - about £42.00!!!